What can you tell me about Joseph Morgan from “The Originals”?
—Vesna Vardalos, Long Beach, California
Joseph Morgan, 32, began playing the werewolf/vampire hybrid role of Klaus Mikaelson on “The Vampire Diaries,” before the part was transitioned to the spinoff series “The Originals.”
“I joined as a guest on ‘The Vampire Diaries’ for four episodes, knowing there was the opportunity of becoming a regular,” he recalls. “When I became a regular, I was only going to do one year. That was my plan because I didn’t see what more it could offer me. Klaus was a villain and I wondered if they were going to turn him good after that. Did I really want that? Then, after the episode where I had the confrontation with my father and I killed him, I decided, ‘I want to do this for a while if I can.'”
Born in London, but raised in Swansea, Wales, Morgan attended Morriston Comprehensive School before returning to London in his late teens, where he was classically trained for three years at the Central School of Speech and Drama.
Upon graduation, Morgan was hired by director Peter Weir to costar in “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,” which was followed by director Oliver Stone hiring Morgan for a role in “Alexander.”
After “Alexander,” Morgan spent time working on stage in the West End of London, as well as starring in the UK television series “Hex,” “The Line of Beauty,” “Doc Martin” and “Mansfield Park.”
His big break came in 2009, when he was cast in the leading role in the miniseries “Ben Hur,” which first aired in Canada, then on ABC in the U.S.
Morgan’s other film credits include the indies “Angels Crest,” “Warhouse,” “500 Miles North” and “Open Grave,” as well as the big-budget film “Immortals.” He was recently cast as the lead in the upcoming thriller, based on Craig Clevenger’s novel, “Dermaphoria.”
In addition, Morgan directed his first short film “Revelation,” starring his “Vampire Diaries” co-star Persia White.
